Chapter 72
Chapter 72
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 72
Chapter Title: Hero's Training (3)
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Chapter 15
Hero's Training (3)
4
"Could you possibly be the reincarnation of Azel Karzark?"
The question Kairen tossed out after arriving at the villa made Azel chuckle.
"How did you come to that conclusion?"
"I looked into it after we got here... and your face bears a striking resemblance to Azel Karzark's portrait."
While staying at the palace, Kairen had mentioned that few portraits of Azel remained. Azel figured that made sense—Azel had never allowed anyone to paint him while he slept, disliking the idea of someone standing over him with a brush. Whatever portraits existed were probably based on memories of those who had seen him in person.
"Could I see that portrait? I'm curious just how similar it is."
"I'll show it to you later. Of course, that's not the only reason. I also heard a report that you used a technique called 'Thunder Dragon's Horn' and caused me considerable property damage."
"I do apologize for that. Though I trust you won't ask me to pay for it."
Azel chuckled as he spoke.
"For example... hmm. If I told you my true identity myself, would you believe me?"
"Let's hear it."
"Azel Karzark went missing two years after the Dragon Emperor War ended. There's no record of whether he died or lived. Isn't that right?"
"Correct."
"What if he entered a profound magic crafted by the great mage Kallos—a magic that halted his aging and induced a long sleep? What if he evaded people's eyes, retreating to a place untouched by human feet, slumbering like a dragon in hibernation for centuries?"
"And what if he awoke in this era? Is that the story?"
"Yes."
"A fascinating tale. Though you're not expecting me to believe it, I assume?"
"Of course not."
Azel gave a wry smile. In the past, he'd debated whether to reveal his identity. Now, the challenge was convincing others of an absurd truth. Nothing was more daunting than persuading someone to accept the implausible.
Azel continued.
"There's a more believable answer: I'm an unknown descendant of Azel Karzark."
"You?"
"Yes."
"Hmm..."
Kairen furrowed his brow. From anyone else, he'd dismiss it as nonsense. But from Azel, it sounded plausible.
*He really does look like him.*
It wasn't just the fiery red hair or blue eyes. Azel's overall features closely matched the portrait of Azel Karzark that Kairen had collected.
Azel's identity had always been suspect. He was certainly an enemy of the Dragon Demon Worshippers, but beyond that, mysteries abounded.
The partial memory loss could be overlooked. After hearing Zail's detailed account of discovering Azel, Kairen accepted that such an issue wasn't surprising.
His mana deficiency relative to his Spirit Order prowess was also understandable under the circumstances—not Kairen's speculation, but Burein Mirkel's, the grand mage himself.
*Intriguing. If my guess is right, it's possible. In a life-threatening state— one no ordinary person could survive—his spirit veins might have withered, and his mana leaked away. Unless he's Undying, mana binds to life force within a living vessel.*
With those two doubts resolved, the remaining questions were: Where did Azel come from? How had he achieved such skill at a young age? And why did he know forgotten lore known only to the Dragon Demon Worshippers?
Azel spoke.
"Knowledge like the Dragon Slaying Ritual and the secrets of Spirit Order have been passed down through my ancestors. Can you believe that?"
"Another hard-to-swallow story. But..."
Kairen regarded Azel gravely, as if reading truth in his eyes and expression.
Azel merely met his gaze impassively, his attitude suggesting belief was optional. It was oddly infuriating.
"Try harder to convince me."
"I have no real inclination to."
"What?"
Kairen's brow twitched. Azel explained.
"No matter what I say, it'll be hard to believe. I know that. But truthfully, I have no reason to pour my heart into convincing you, Your Grace. If you believe me, great. If not, oh well. The important part is settled anyway."
"What's that?"
"That we're not enemies."
"..."
"Oh, saying it out loud does sound a bit ungrateful. Fine. We're not just not enemies—we're allies fighting together. If the Dragon Demon Worshippers threaten you, I'll gladly draw my sword at your side. Isn't that enough?"
"...Hah."
Kairen chuckled despite himself.
He was pleased. The irritation that had gripped him moments ago vanished, replaced by delight at Azel's words.
Leaning back in his chair, Kairen said,
"If you were a woman, it'd be trouble."
"Why's that?"
"I'd fall for you. Insolent and cheeky as you are, you hit the mark too often."
"I'm glad you don't have a taste for men, then, Your Grace. Oh, speaking of which, Hasban mentioned hoping you'd at least meet some of those marriage prospects..."
"Our family fretting over me dying a bachelor is enough—shut it. I'm nowhere near the end of marriageable age."
Dragonkin lived over three hundred years, so it wasn't wrong. Mirkel interjected.
"Even so, the family head basking in single life past a hundred invites talk. No siblings, and you're not worried about heirs?"
"Better than you, siring a brood then clinging to the seat till that age."
"It's not like I enjoy it. Things are finally settling—I'll hold the succession rite by year's end. Got nothing to say now?"
"Tch..."
Kairen changed the subject, looking annoyed.
"Anyway, if you're truly Azel Karzark's descendant... it's touching. The hero's bloodline, thought severed, endures to this era."
"Officially, Azel Karzark never married, right?"
"Some say a few of his adopted children were illegitimate."
"..."
Azel wanted to protest his innocence but held back.
*My adopted kids aside, I can't be sure there were no biological ones. Hm.*
During the Dragon Emperor War, plenty of women had shared his bed. One might have borne his child in secret without surprise. It was that era—living for the moment's passion over an uncertain tomorrow, always with death's blade at their throats, racing through darkness.
But Kairen's next words froze Azel.
"Whether true or not, the Karzark Marquisate was exterminated, so it hardly matters now."
"...What?"
Azel's voice rose involuntarily. The shock hit like a blow to the back of his head, shattering his composure. Trembling, he asked,
"The Karzark Marquisate was wiped out? Is that true?"
"You didn't know?"
"...No. No history book mentions it..."
"Hm."
Kairen eyed Azel with bewilderment. He'd never seen Azel so shaken—not even over something a trained noble would know as common knowledge.
What kind of life had he lived? Puzzled, Kairen explained.
"The Karzark Marquisate's annihilation and its designation as a Demonic Realm happened late in the Great Darkness. No wonder your books omit it. It's not our nation's history..."
"..."
Azel was speechless. His mind reeled from the shock.
Though not his blood, he'd loved those adopted children as family. He'd entrusted their care to Kallos and friends before sleeping, assuming they'd thrive or at least endure. He'd dreamed of visiting someday, tracing their descendants, reliving memories.
*Wait. This isn't the time to break down.*
Azel took a slow, deep breath. Using Spirit Order to steady his mind, he calmed gradually. Moments later, he asked,
"...Do you know what caused it?"
"I heard dragons rampaged—over ten of them—followed by a horde of demonic beasts rising up. I'll send books detailing it."
"Please do."
Deep in Azel's eyes, an uncontrollable blaze ignited.
5
Kairen and Burein peppered him with questions until dawn before leaving. Burein seemed regretful, with mountains more to ask, but Azel requested a postponement and sent them off.
Resuming training, Azel pushed beyond human limits. This grueling regimen halted a month after entering Lance Mountain.
From then, as if the prior ordeal was a lie, he lounged. Eight hours from night to morning, four more daytime—twelve total—plus light movement training, focusing on meditation otherwise.
On the third day, Hasban couldn't contain his curiosity.
"As your attendant, I wouldn't call this ideal... but as a spy, I can't let it slide."
"Spies snoop covertly, not grill openly after revealing themselves, no?"
"My position's a bit unique for such norms, isn't it?"
"Fair enough. It's no grand secret anyway. I'm still training diligently."
"Rest is training too?"
"Not quite. I push to extremes for thirty days, then rest ten to assimilate gains. That's my cycle."
"Already a month, then."
"Stimulating and mastering every corner of my body. That's all I'll say."
"Hm. Sir Azel, you're full of secrets."
"And unearthing them is your job, Sir Hasban. I've given plenty of hints."
Azel grinned.